Weapons surrender initiative comes to Wakefield
Wednesday, September 09, 2026
A weapons amnesty will take place in Wakefield this month, giving residents the opportunity to surrender weapons safely, securely and anonymously.
The initiative is being delivered by Fazamnesty, a trusted UK violence-prevention and community safety organisation, in partnership with the Wakefield Community Safety Partnership. It is part of the district's ongoing efforts to prevent serious violence and keep communities safe.
“Wakefield is one of the safest districts in West Yorkshire and we’re committed to keeping it that way.
“Knives and other weapons have no place on our streets. Carrying them puts people at risk. That’s why we are urging people to hand them in safely and anonymously through Fazamnesty.
“Working alongside our Community Safety Partnership colleagues, we will continue to focus on prevention, education and early intervention, helping to tackle the root causes of violence, reduce harm and make our district an even safer place to be.”
Cllr Rebecca Webster
Cabinet Member for Safer Stronger Communities
Amnesty vans will operate on Saturday 26 September at:
• Wakefield Exchange (WX), 2-4pm
• a second location (to be confirmed), 5-7pm
Another van will travel throughout the district, responding to any requests from communities during the day. It can be contacted via the Fazamnesty Instagram accounts:
www.instagram.com/popular/fazamnesty
www.instagram.com/faronalexpaul
Residents can hand in any item that could fall into the wrong hands and be used as a weapon, including old kitchen knives and other bladed items. No questions will be asked and no judgement will be made.
Alongside the weapons surrender initiative, the Fazamnesty team will be talking to communities within the district, offering advice, support and positive intervention for young people. They will also be demonstrating practical, life-saving first aid training for bleed injuries and trauma.
The visit is part of SAVED month, a programme of activities led by Wakefield Council during September. SAVED stands for Speak Against Violence Every Day and aims to prevent serious violence, raise awareness and help create safer communities.
Fazamnesty was set up in 2018 by Faron Alex Paul after he survived two separate knife attacks and was stabbed 18 times. Faron recognised the damage caused to communities by weapons and decided to take practical action.
The organisation now works with local authorities, police forces, schools, businesses community groups and other partners across the country. As well as providing opportunities for people to hand in weapons via its surrender vans, it delivers mentoring programmes to young people, community support and training in how to deal with injuries in emergency situations.
Further information is available by emailing communitysafety@wakefield.gov.uk